The world has been crazy recently because of the COVID-19 virus. But this week that crazy spread to the US. (As though I didn't have enough crazy in my life!) Stores are being picked bare as people hoard food, water, toilet paper, paper towels, and disinfectants. Yesterday all the public schools in Southern California (at least as far as I know) closed for a few weeks to slow the spread of the virus. In the district where I work, school is closed for the students but all faculty and staff have to go to work - for now at least. My guess is that once the government entities figure out how to manage paying everyone, modifying school attendance rules, etc., then all the details will be worked out. So for now, I will continue to go to work as usual. I have no idea how we'll keep ourselves busy though, beyond a few days.
However, Easter Seals is closed too, so John can't go there while I'm at work. Jordan will be home much of the time so I'm hoping that will suffice in the short term. But she needs to concentrate on her classes (all of which are now online) so it's certainly not ideal. We'll take it day by day.
John is confused about Easter Seals. When I explain the current situation, he understands and is reassured. But once the clarity slips away he's concerned. He asks me "Did they cut me off from working there?" So he still thinks he's a volunteer. But he thinks they might not let him continue to volunteer. I believe he's concerned he's been fired from another job he loves. I assure him that no one is going there for now. I hope the disruption doesn't make it difficult for him to return there - I don't think it will. One of the women at Easter Seals works very closely with John and they have made progress together. She sent some interesting Alzheimer's information home with him which was very kind. She even gave us her personal phone number and offered to help us during this time if we need it. She is exceptional.
I'm worried about how John will do with so much free time on his hands. He gets more agitated when he's not involved in some kind of activity, or somehow kept busy.
I also received a call from my mom's memory care facility yesterday. For now they are not allowing visitors to protect their residents from the virus. It is more deadly for older people with existing health issues. So I can't visit her. It feels really odd. I know she's cared for, but if she's able to realize that I'm not visiting for a while - and I'm not sure she is - she won't understand why. I have a weird sense of freedom though. I feel guilty about this, guilty about feeling some relief that I can't visit her. It saves me at least an hour and half of my day. Unfortunately there's not a whole lot going on this weekend so I have plenty of time to visit her. It figures it works out that way.
Yep, life is crazy. Really crazy.
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